REV14918 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. Habitat effectiveness for some wildlife species will be temporarily reduced by the construction and use of a road and drill pads in the areas adjacent to the riparian area in Box Canyon.' The habitat effectiveness remains within Forest Plan standards. 2. Consnvction of a road and drill pads will remove vegetation from approximately 1.1 acres of land at Drill pad 19-05/06. 3. Potential for slowed Honing and production from panels 19, 20 and 21 can have translated effects to mine efficiency and economics. IC is not expected that this decision will cause the West Elk Mine to close, or have measurable effects to employment at [he mine or in the surrounding areas (EA Supplement, Appendix C). Based on mine plan budget and projections, this decision would affect [he rate at which portions of the forecasted mining of panels 19, 20 and 21 would occur. This would limit mining progress in these panels for a duration of about 15 months over a 2-year period. These effects would cease after about 2 years. This decision supports the continued operation at the West Elk mine by allowing drilling to facilitate methane drainage where it is appropriate with respect to surface resources. C. Box Canyon Shallow Seismic Reflection Survey Decision I have decided to approve the Box Canyon Shallow Seismic Reflection Survey. My decision approves use of the reclaimed drill road and foot route in Box Canyon for the seismic survey and vehicle access as described below. I am approving this survey to be done via full sized vehicles [o the location of MDW 19-05/06 (assuming the road would be constmcted at the time of the survey). Only ATV access will be allowed on the existing foot route south of the MDW 19-05/06 pad location. Please refer to Map 1. This decision restricts the approved activities to the "existing footprint" of prior disturbance and the alignment of the foot route in Box Canyon. This decision is further contingent upon continued compliance by MCC with the stipulations attached to the federal coal leases (included in the EA Supplement as Appendix A), the Seismic Conditions of Approval included in this document as Appendix C, and operational considerations detailed on the Forest Service geophysical prospecting permit. The Seismic Conditions of Approval include selected mitigations identified in the EA Supplement, as modified by the Forest Service Interdisciplinary Team after review of public comments. The activities authorized in this decision can be implemented through issuance of this Decision Notice, and the Forest Service's subsequent concurrence on adding these activities into MCC's Colorado State approved mine permit (if deemed necessary), and execution of a Forest Service geophysical exploration permit. MCC is required to secure any additional State or Federal permits as required by law. Reasons for Decision This seismic survey activity is appropriate to gain geologic information related to coal resources MCC holds under lease. The EA Supplement did not identify any long-term consequences, or effects that could no[ be mitigated and the area restored in a short period of time. This decision did not require exceptions to lease stipulations, as only very minor surface disturbance (.008 acres) would occur. I recognize the concern expressed about effects to management indicator species, and how [he Forest Services monitors and manages their habitat. My decision will not affect Forest-wide populations, trends or habitats of any MIS species (EA Supplement, Appendix C - Response to Comments). With respect to the Box Canyon Seismic Survey, my decision supports the overall purpose and need, and the need [o obtain geologic data for mine planning purposes. My decision also supports MCC's right to conduct mineral exploration on their federal coal lease. Page 9